Mental health and physical health are inextricably linked. Poor mental health is associated with an increased risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Poor physical health also increases the risk of people developing mental health problems. Unfortunately, the majority of Haitian families have a hard time understanding this interconnection of mental and physical health and its role in daily life issues.

In this perspective, the Haitian consulate in Atlanta will launch a program of support to the counseling agencies within the community. The consulate will be an additional resource to those agencies and will provide in the best of its abilities advice to better serve the Haitian population.

Thus, in the objectivity of establishing a better service to the Haitian population in Atlanta, the consulate will provide guidance to the Haitian families after assessment. In a more pragmatic way, if a Haitian family cannot find ways to deal with its teenager, the chances are that mother, father or both might start losing days at work which may lead to their losing their jobs. A Haitian family who loses employment here in United States can be the reason for their relative's inability to survive back home.

Our approach consists of conceptualizing our Haitian families in the Atlanta community as economic agents; and as such need to be stronger and stronger for the benefits of their own families, population, and the Haitian nation as a whole.

HL/ HaïtiLibre